Stala still stings from hit

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HAMILTON -- Elliott Richardson might be small, but he carries a big club.

At least that's Hamilton receiver Dave Stala's story about the hellacious hit he took Sunday at Commonwealth Stadium when he ventured into Richardson's territory.

Despite suffering whiplash, the tough Canadian wideout will be in the lineup Friday night when the Tabbies host the Eskimos.

"It was a tough play. Coming across the middle is always dangerous," said Stala. "He got a clean shot at me. I'm a little bit sore, but that's football.

"He got me under the chin with his cast. I had a little red mark on my neck from that. There was nothing on my head. It was more of a whiplash. I just wanted to get my head around to make sure I could catch balls."

This is Stala's eighth year in the league and he can't recall too many other times he's been clobbered.

"That's one of the tougher hits I've taken in this league," said Stala. "I took a few shots, but this one was tough. I was starting to lay out for the ball because it was a little ahead of me, so he caught me pretty good."

Stala is the latest victim to feel the punch of the Esks' safety, who makes up for his lack of stature with a fearless style. That earned him a double player of the week award when he came off the nine-game injured list against Toronto.

"It's pretty good for him," said Stala. "He's five-foot-eight and doesn't have to do a lot to get under your chin. He's a lot shorter than me, so that's why he was able to do that."

Having Stala in the lineup will be a bonus for the Tabbies, who have lost three of their last four starts.

"We're not just striving for a playoff spot," said Stala. "We want a home playoff game."